2 Women Raped, Molested Daily In J&K

Conviction Rate Dismal; Protectors of Law Indulged in Rape, Molestation

SRINAGAR: More than two rape or molestation cases have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir per day over the last 24 years but the conviction rate in these cases during the period has been a dismal 3.26 per cent. Moreover protectors of law, including police and other security forces have been found involved in most of these cases both in Kashmir as well as in Jammu divisions during this period.

The number of rapes and molestation cases against men in uniform is higher in Kashmir as compared to Jammu.

In a written reply to the Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is in-charge minister for Home Affairs, said 5,125 rape cases and 14,953 molestation cases have been registered in the state over the last 24 years.

From 1989 to 2013, Government has registered 5125 cases of rape (2601 in Kashmir and 2524 in Jammu) and 14,953 molestation cases (12215 in Kashmir and 2738 in Jammu province) against different culprits including men in uniform, militants and surrendered militants as well.

The Government said while security forces have 70 rape cases (41 in Kashmir and 29 in Jammu), it has 55 cases of molestations (44 in Kashmir and 11 in Jammu). Police has 59 rape cases against its personnel (15 in Kashmir and 44 in Jammu) and 34 in molestation cases (12 in Kashmir and 22 in Jammu). Surrendered militants molested nobody but have three rape cases including two in Kashmir.

In comparison, there are seven cases of rape registered against militants  four in Kashmir and three in Jammu, besides three cases of molestations including two in Jammu.

Besides police, security forces and militants, government has booked 4986 common men for committing rapes, 2446 in Jammu and 2540 in Kashmir while total number of persons booked for molestation is 14861 out of which 2703 belong to Kashmir Province.

The government in its reply said that 664 rape allegations and 782 molestations registered between 1989 and 2003 were not admitted at all. Cases not admitted traced were 65 rapes and 115 molestations. While 159 rape cases and 557 molestation cases are under investigation, total number of cases have challenged before the courts include 4237 rapes and 13499 molestation cases. The Home Ministry said that 579 persons have been convicted in these rape and molestation cases, 313 in Kashmir and 266 in Jammu.

Giving details of disposal of rape cases, the government said the accused were convicted in only 579 of the 17,736 rape and molestation cases which were challenged before the courts.

The conviction rate was as many as 1,446 cases of rape (664) and molestation (782) were not admitted while 180 cases, including 65 rape cases, remained untraced.

The state police personnel are accused in 59 rape cases (15 in Kashmir and 44 in Jammu) and 34 molestation cases (12 in Kashmir and 22 in Jammu).

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